Can You Get a Car Loan with a Low Credit Score in New South Wales?
Let’s face it—life happens. You might’ve missed a few bills, had a rough patch financially, or gone through a major life change like separation or job loss.
Whatever the reason, a low credit score shouldn’t leave you stranded without a car. If you’re in New South Wales and wondering how your credit score affects your ability to get a car loan, you’re not alone.
Here at Zoom Car Loans, helping people with bad credit get approved for car loans is what we do best.
What Do Lenders in NSW Consider a "Low" Credit Score?
In Australia, credit scores range from 0 to 1,200 depending on the credit reporting agency. Generally speaking:
- Below 500 is considered poor
- 500–600 is fair
- Above 600 is good to excellent
In NSW, many mainstream lenders may knock back applications with scores under 600—but that doesn’t mean you’re out of options.
Car Finance Is Still Possible with Bad Credit
At Zoom Car Loans, we don’t believe your credit score tells the full story. That’s why we partner with non-bank and specialist lenders who assess your current situation—not just your past.
We’ve helped clients across NSW in places like Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, Tamworth, and Dubbo get approved with credit scores as low as the 300s.
How Do We Do It?
We take the time to get to know you. We look at:
- Your income – including casual or part-time work
- Your expenses – and whether repayments are manageable
- Centrelink payments – many of our lenders accept them
- Past defaults – especially if they’re paid or under control
- Your need for a reliable car – for work, family or everyday life
We match you with a lender that’s the best fit—often within 24 to 48 hours.
What If You’ve Been Refused Elsewhere?
Don’t worry. Many of our clients come to us after being turned down by a bank or dealership.
Being rejected elsewhere doesn’t mean your car ownership dream is over—it just means you haven’t found the right lender yet.
That’s where we come in.
No Shame. No Stress. Just Solutions.
Our NSW clients range from young people starting out, to families rebuilding after tough times, to small business owners with unpredictable income.
We know there’s no one-size-fits-all car loan, and we’re proud to offer options where others say “no.”
Ready to Take the First Step?
If you live in New South Wales and have been worried that your low credit score will stop you from getting a car loan, get in touch with Zoom Car Loans today.
Our process is fast, friendly and flexible—and we’re here to help you move forward.
Your credit past doesn’t define your future. Let’s get you back on the road.
Streamlined
We have a highly streamlined pre-approval and settlement process.
Personalised
Personalised terms and repayments to suit your budget and lifestyle.
Proactive
Let us know your vehicle requirements and we will help with the search.
Obligation-free
All Centrelink car loan applications are completely obligation free.
- Do I meet the minimum income requirements?
- How much can I borrow?
- How can I prepare for my application?
- Types of Centrelink Payments
Do I meet the minimum income requirements?
As all credit providers work on a basic principle of affordability, to be approved for a loan, applicants must meet a minimum income amount of $800 per fortnight (not including covid supplement).
This minimum amount can be solely from Centrelink payments or can include employment income as well.
This minimum amount has been put in place to protect the borrower. It’s the minimum amount that the lenders deem the borrower can comfortably make their loan repayments, while still being able to afford basic living expenses such as groceries, bills, rent, etc.
Although these measures tend to be very accurate, they do not take personal circumstances and habits into consideration.
You should always look at your own spending habits and budget to ensure you will be comfortable with any additional borrowing.
Here at Zoom, we are able to assist the large majority of Centrelink customers, however, please note that if you are solely receiving a New Start Allowance/Jobseeker, Youth Allowance, or Austudy, unfortunately these aren’t accepted income forms to qualify for a loan.
Our finance specialists work on your behalf to do everything possible to secure a loan for you, so be sure to contact us to speak further about your current circumstances if you’re unsure.
How much can I borrow?
Zoom Car Loans are a team of finance brokers, who work on your behalf to find you the best deal possible. This means we do not have any set loan amount.
The amount you can borrow will be depend on which lender we are able to go through, based on your personal circumstances.
During the application process, your broker will ask you how much you are wanting to borrow. Your finance specialists will then work with our panel of lenders to secure an offer. To avoid disappointment of not getting a car you have your eyes on, we always encourage you to obtain a pre-approval for an amount you can afford and then look for a suitable vehicle within your approval limits. Zoom Car Loans finance packages allow for both dealer and private sale vehicles.
How can I prepare for my application?
Before applying for a car loan, there a few things you can do to heighten your chances of gaining a quick approval offer. A key part of your application involves credit providers verifying your current financial situation. This is a requirement of the law, so to avoid any delays, we encourage you to check and prepare the following before applying:
- Ensure your recent banking conduct is at an acceptable level (avoid overdrawing your account, ensure no direct debit payments are dishonoured, cancel any debits that are no longer current, avoid gambling transactions and withdrawing all funds the day you receive your income).
- Make sure your rent/board/mortgage payments are up to date. Most financial institutions will complete a residential check.
- Having defaults is OK! However, it always helps if you can show the financier that you are aware of them and have made arrangement to pay them off or resolve them.
- Be truthful. Financial institutions have access to many tools to check the accuracy of the information that has been supplied.
Types of Centrelink payments
Zoom Car Loans are able to assist the large majority of Centrelink customers however minimum income requirement of $800 a fortnight does apply.
Types of payments we consider are:
• Parenting payments (single & partnered)
• Disability
• Carers Payments
• Family Tax Benefit
• Aged Pension
Newstart Allowance: please note that if you are solely receiving a New Start Allowance (including $550 covid increase), Job Seeker, Youth Allowance, or Austudy, unfortunately these aren’t accepted income forms to qualify for a loan.
Our lenders have a minimum income requirement of $800/fortnight to apply (not including the $550 temporary increase).
As a team of highly experienced brokers, Zoom Car Loans know what it takes for the lenders to approve a Centrelink customer.
If you would like to read more about to get approved for a car loan when you are receiving Centrelink payments READ OUR BLOG POST here.
We help car loans for Centrelink customers get approved!
There are minimum requirements needed to qualify for their car loans. The best way to find out is to apply online for us to find out all details and do our best to get your driving away in a good car!
-
No deposit loans
-
Bad credit history
-
Centrelink payments
-
Ex-bankruptcy
-
First loan
-
Declined by the bank
Useful information
What our customers have said about us
I can’t express my gratitude enough to Rowan. He was so helpful very friendly and extremely professional with the process of getting a car loan for myself. I can’t thank him enough for all he did for me. Thanks Rowan
Tracey D
Very please with the work from Joshua an Katie .. they got my loan approved asap as a mum of 3 an needed a car asap… From start to finish they where fantastic an repayment are manageable… Thanks to zoom car loans for helping me within 10days an got out new family car this morning..
Much appreciation to the team
Misty H
Great service. Quick, friendly and professional! Highly recommend if you’re struggling elsewhere to get finance.
Jessica C
Read more testimonials here